Feature Articles from
"CHUCK FOOTBALL" NEWSLETTER -
Fall 2003
THE MAGIC OF ROOM 8
Flying chalk, erasers, trash cans and helmets, and film corrections made
By Terry Mosher - Editor, Sports Paper
Norm Dicks has been a member of the United States House of Representatives from this state since 1976, and last played football in high school in 1958 when he was a center/linebacker for Chuck Semancik's West Bremerton High School Wildcats.
In the last 45 years, Dicks has lunched and chatted with just about every foreign leader one can image, including presidents from Nixon to Bush II. So it would be understandable that Dicks, now 62, would not now know Room 8 from a dirty bathroom in downtown Baghdad.
But even Dicks hasn't forgotten the mythical status that has risen about Room 8 at old West/ Bremerton High School.
Dicks' hands began to fly as he described with a flourish in his Bremerton office the location of Room 8, the homeroom of Chuck Semancik during the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame's 34-year tenure as head coach in Bremerton.
"It was here, and then you walk out the door that way, right?" Dicks said his voice rising with emotion as if he was being transported back to 1958 and walking with his teammates into the room where boy Wildcats (the team mascot in those days) entered and men Wildcats departed.
"The locker rooms and everything were over here," Dicks continued, his hands flashing left and right above the conference table. "The wrestling room was over here, and the room was right here. So you doing a story on that?"
Whoever heard of a story about a room? Unless, the room was haunted. Then a movie would be made. But there's no movie here. Just memories of a place where a legendary coach stood before the huddled masses & magical things happened.
"I think if he had a hot plate, a port-a-potty, and a cot he could have lived there. He would have had to have his projector, too, "said Lane Dowell, whose introduction to Chuck Football came the second he walked into Room 8 for the first time back in the late 1960s and came across the coach who would win over 200 games in his career. "There was a sense of magic in there. If a player missed an assignment on a Friday night, the magic of Room 8 caused the game film to change over the weekend and assignments that were missed when Chuck ran the film back four or five times (or 40 or 50 times) would be corrected on film."
You would have to have been in Room 8 on Mondays to understand what Dowell is saying. Semancik's film sessions are about as legendary as legendary gets.
Room 8 was on the ground floor (most of the main classrooms and administrative officers were on the second floor, level with 13th Street) at the rear of the school, behind the gym and next to the boys locker-rooms, the wrestling room and a small storage room where Semancik kept things, including new equipment that might never get used. There were other classrooms in the lower level, but only Room 8 on that side of the gym, on the northwest side of the building.
When the school was built in 1945, the room was shared by another legendary Bremerton coach, Ken Wills, and Orville "Tinie" Johnson. Semancik, when he arrived from Aberdeen in 1948, was assigned to Coontz Junior High while he assisted head football coach Dwight Scheyer. When Scheyer became Vice Principal in 1950, Semancik became the head coach and he began sharing the room with Johnson.
"I had it in the morning, Chuck had it in the afternoon and Wills took his classes out in the gym," Johnson said.
The legend of Room 8 started growing almost immediately because Semancik started the tradition of using it for his pre-game, halftime and post-game chats with his teams.
If you could call them chats.
"People would stand outside the door, by the windows and in the hallway to listen to what Chuck would say," said Al Smith, longtime Bremerton teacher and trainer who for years worked alongside Semancik. "There was always a good-sized crowd out there .... just to listen to what Semancik would say."
Bremerton Parks and Recreation Director Jim Spencer, a star running back and safety and one of the few sophomores to start for Semancik, didn't hesitate when asked if he remembered Room 8 - "Room 8 is where it all happened, baby."
The room looked like something out of "Blackboard Jungle", the 1950s movie that propelled Bill Haley and the Comets to rock and roll fame. Old fashion chalk boards, even older desks with ink wells, windows covered with torn, dirty and crooked shades, lighting that would not meet today's electrical standards and, pushed against the wall up front, an old oak desk where months of correspondence lay crammed in drawers, unopened, unread.
"Ol' Charlie never opened his mail," said Johnson, who became a vice principal and athletic director at the school. "Kids would bring it down from the office and he would just shove it in his drawers. At the end of the month, they were full. I would take the drawers and empty them into wastebaskets. Next month, he would start afresh."
Letters weren't the only thing that Semancik didn't read.
"He had scouting reports that would go back years in that desk," remembers Dowell. "I remember the first game I scouted. I took a lot of time in writing it and when I took it down to Room 8; he looked at it, just grunted and put it in his desk."
End of report.
"Charlie was a strange individual. Very likable. But strange," said Johnson. "I guess we are all a little strange."
Those Room 8 Monday film sessions topped the 'strange chart.' As the projector rolled, Semancik would pick out mistakes and his players or trapped physical education students were consigned to watching the same play over and over again, cowering back into themselves as far as possible in a futile effort to escape. No player's star was too big not to fall.
"Whoever it was that made the mistake, there was no place to hide," said Mike Anderson, Semancik's starting quarterback in 1971 and now a teacher and tennis coach at Bainbridge High School. Spencer, who sat with the defensive backs, as if that would help protect him from Semancik's film diagnosis said, "They were always an amazingly entertaining experience." Not always a positive entertaining experience, but always entertaining. I remember vividly (to this day) a guy breaking away and I take the wrong angle on the guy and him scoring. Chuck replayed that 50 times and every time I think he knew in his heart that I was going to change my angle on the film and make the tackle. "But, guess what? I still took the wrong angle and the guy scored." Anderson added, "The games were filmed using eight millimeter film and Chuck sometimes would get pissed off just setting it up."
Halftime was the REAL show, however. Whether his team was winning or losing, it didn't matter because Semancik would be on the prowl in Room 8, seniors in the back because they knew better, the juniors in the middle, and the poor sophomores up front to take whatever force was about to descend on them --- kicked trash cans, helmets, flying chalk, erasers, and even a swift kick.
Anderson said the players quickly learned one thing about Room 8. "In Chuck's halftime, you didn't take your helmet off ... especially if you were up front."
Post games were no picnic either.
Anderson still remembers his first game in Room 8 as a sophomore, finding himself up front as they awaited the hulking presence of Semancik. The Wildcats just had lost 3-0 to Central Kitsap on Butch Stuart's 37-yard field goal and the seniors knew trouble was brewing even if the sophomores didn't.
"I had never seen Chuck so mad," Anderson said. "The thing I remember the most is Chuck saying, 'I hate to lose to those guys', and then he literally, with one arm, picked his desk up off the floor and just kinda tossed it. I was just a little sophomore sitting in the front and my jaw was probably down to the floor."
Cal Ormiston, also a sophomore, remembers the same scene.
"Us sophomores had never experienced Room 8," Ormiston said. "This was our first game of the season and I remember Chuck had on his old leather coat. He had picked up grass along the sidelines (an age-old Semancik habit during games); he was wet and had rubbed this grass and mud all over his face. He walked back and forth up front and there was a piece of grass hanging off his nose.
"He had his old oak desk sitting there. It must have weighed 300 to 400 pounds and he picked up that desk with one hand and slammed it back down. Boy, did that get our attention. You could hear a pin drop in that room.
"Then he next picked up an eraser. He started asking for Smitty (Pat Smith). It so happened that Pat was sitting back two rows in the middle of the aisle. As soon as Pat said, 'Here I am, Chuck', he did a full windup and threw the eraser. It came by my ear fast. Chalk came off of Smith like a cloud. Talk about the fear of God."
That old oak desk figured in another incident.
"One time Chuck got mad because of the way his team was blocking," Al Smith said. "He came in at half- time, got down in a three-point stance--- it looked just like the stance he had at Washington State --- and he exploded at the desk. The desk just jumped. The kids' mouths just dropped. That was motivation."
Nick Garguile's reputation as standout lineman on a standout Star of the Sea football team reached Semancik before he did as a sophomore. And it wasn't long before Semancik was asking Dowell, the junior varsity coach, "When are we bringing up the Big Boy?"
'Big Boy' (Garguile) weighed 240 and would discover the secrets of Room 8 as soon as Dowell got him there.
"Obviously my head swelled," said Garguile, now the owner of Noah's Ark Restaurant in Bremerton. "Anyway, in PE class Chuck told me to run around the bowl (practice field). So I did. Pretty soon I hear Chuck saying, 'Pick up the speed.' I said, 'Okay, Chuck.' Well, I didn't and as I came around he again said to pick it up. I guess I didn't meet his criteria because he yelled, 'Garguile, go to Room 8.'
"He got real physical with me. I don't want to say he beat me up ... but he did. He wanted me to be a leader, so he challenged me, got right up in my face. He told me I could be anything I wanted to be, that I could go as far as I wanted to go. Basically he was telling me the ball was in my court."
Whatever it took, Garguile took it. From that time on, if Semancik said "jump", Garguile jumped. And West Bremerton continued to win, and win big, with Garguile and others anchoring a tough line for the next several years.
For Mike O'Brien, who played at Olympic College, the University of California and the Seattle Seahawks and now is in charge of seven car dealerships from Tacoma to Kirkland (three in partnership with Chuck Haselwood); Room 8 brings back memories of Semancik in the pre-game meeting calling out the lineup for that night's game.
"Even though we players knew who was starting, it wasn't until Chuck said it," O'Brien said. "He'd say, 'Tonight, against the Port Angeles Roughriders, you know what? (Paul) Morgen, you take fullback. And everybody would cheer. (Kent) Phippen, you take halfback. Okay, Kent you do a good job. More cheers. (Mike) O'Brien, you take halfback ...'
"We all knew ... but it was awesome. It made you feel special."
Room 8 had a way of doing that to kids. Room 8 and Chuck Semancik.
"There was more motivation condensed into that one room in a short period of time than you would find anywhere else in a lifetime," says Al Smith. "When Chuck got done talking to the kids at halftime, they came out spitting bullets and eating nails."
Dicks played for Semancik from 56-58 at West and he said, "Chuck was a great coach. He would stand up there in Room 8 and we'd be sitting there in our gear, all crammed together, and he would give those brimstone speeches and we'd be all fired up."
Semancik died on Nov. 8, 1999, and Room 8 is also gone. The new Bremerton High School sits there at the corner of 13th and High Streets in Bremerton. Actually, Room 8 was gone before the old school was demolished to make way for the new. Bremerton High was moved to the old East High School and the room was prey to new ideas.
Dave Rice assisted Semancik in wrestling for three years and he says in the fall of 1978, "I emptied out Room 8 and made it into our weight room. I took out all the desks and put them in the basement. I found some mirrors in the basement and made a weight and teaching station.
"That was the end of Room 8."
(Thanks to Terry Mosher, longtime sports writer in Kitsap, for making Room 8 come alive again - Editor)
Thru the Decades
The letters we've received this year. Please send us your stories: PO Box 2723, Bremerton 98310 or dowells@wavecable.net
30 Years Ago.....
(ED: Joel Wannebo, #52 on the ‘72-‘74 Wildcat Varsity has a story about "history revisited")
The day before the big BHS vs. Central Kitsap football game (Fall 2002); I picked up my son, Christopher from practice. The coaches had obviously been giving it their best shot to "fire 'em up" and get them motivated before the big homecoming game.
As we were driving to the daycare (picking up his little brother, Michael - age 8) on our way home, my usually pensive (quiet) teenager was going on and on about the upcoming game, what it meant and the history behind it.
Just before we arrived at the daycare center, Chris was giving his view of Coach McKnight's inspirational talk about a BIG game between then "West" High School and Central Kitsap. He was very animated, going on about some of the big events and the huge (bigger than ever before) crowd packing the stadium.
I know he was picturing what it might be like the next day for his own game against CK. As he was continuing his excited account of the big game, Chris stopped mid-sentence saying "oh my gosh... 30 years ago... YOU were at that game!!!"
It was both a shocking and a bonding moment for him and a proud moment for me. We have had numerous events where Chris has connected the fact that my Dad was 30 years old when I was born, I was thirty years old when Chris was born, and there have been multiple "coincidences" that seem to occur on thirty-year anniversaries.
That moment, plus the obviously successful pep talk from all of the BHS coaches/staff, had a fantastic result. BHS defeated Central Kitsap and it was a memorable "Home-coming" for all.
(Editor's note: Thanks to Paul Salo that ‘73 night is etched forever at the Victory Park:
"OCTOBER 25, 1973 - UNBEATENS CLASH - WEST 17 - CK 0 - ATTENDANCE 7,000")
YEARS OF MEMORIES
July 2002 -
Chuck Semancik Foundation -
Enclosed is my donation to the Semancik Victory Park.
I have enjoyed BHS football for more than 70 years & especially during Chuck's years as coach. I knew him in a personal way discussing salmon fishing.
This is also in memory of the BHS Class of 1936 and of Coach Hal Shidler and his State Championship Team of 1935.
I will always be a BHS Knight (Wildcat) fan.
Bill Mahan
(ED: A hero in our community for constantly giving to good causes. Bill Mahan ------)
Chuck Cared.....
11 October 2002
Dear Friends of Chuck Semancik
I regret that I cannot be in attendance at the dedication of the Semancik Victory Park at Bremerton's Memorial High School Stadium.
I played for Chuck from 1956 to 1958 and had the honor of being the team captain in 1958. Chuck Semancik was an outstanding football coach. He had a burning desire to win and he cared deeply about his players.
I will always remember the get-togethers at his home for the seniors the night before each game. Chuck cared deeply about his players and helped me when I decided to play at the University of Washington.
Chuck gave his life to high school football and was and is beloved by his players and friends.
I am proud to be associated with this memorial for an outstanding coach and friend. Please give my best regards to all present.
Warmest personal regards,
Norm Dicks
(U.S. Representative Dicks still works with the Kitsap Community & Washington State through his 6th Congressional District.)
A Hot Shot & A Heart Throb
June 30 2003
Dear Sirs:
I was recently given 2 different copies of the article about Chuck Semancik and his many accomplishments during his life.
I am the chairwoman for the Lincoln High School Class of 1934 in Tacoma, Washington.
This is the high school class that Chuck graduated from in June of 1934. We as a class have met each year since our 50th Reunion in 1984.
We would very much like to have a brick with the lines from our class as our recognition to him....
Sincerely,
Pauline Watte Linington
(ED: We called Pauline and it was a hoot! There were 592 seniors in that 1934 class and 165 to 200 are still living. The exact number is difficult due to the women constantly changing their last names. Pauline said Chuck was the "Hot Shot and Heart Throb of the school".
Pauline's husband, Bill Linington was one of Chuck's teammates. She also told us of a football teammate and friend who currently lives in the Kitsap County area, Dan Virgillo. Dan tells us that another teammate, Lawrence Berglund, is still in Tacoma - can you imagine the stories they must have!)
2003 Semancik Scholarship Winners
Thanks to your generous donations, BHS 2003 Semancik Scholarship recipients are Wally Grobler, heading to Central Washington and Mark Williams who is advancing to Olympic College.
This makes a total of 8 students who have been awarded $5,500 in scholarships since 2000.
The Semancik Foundation targets the type of youngster who has overcome unusual life-altering circumstances and has made solid academic progress through the high school years. Our scholarship
recipients have shown the desire to further their education and have a plan to achieve a career goal.
TILES ARE STILL BEING INSCRIBED -
YOU CAN STILL BE INCLUDED..........
Over 350 tiles at the Victory Park can still be purchased for your memories.
The current 170 tile inscriptions all have special meanings to many alumni, families, and friends of Bremerton/West Bremerton High.
Yes, there's football & wrestling tiles, but there's also swimming, gymnastics, band, cheer, baseball, basketball, track, choir and music, studies, graduate, memorial, quotes, community, business, family trees, and "Grandpa" tiles. One tile doesn't stand out unless it's your own. And as you walk the tiled path, turning your head and standing in one spot and then another, you understand the overwhelming pride in your school and community.
Tile orders will continue to be taken through the years and set in groups of 25, weather permitting, as they are inscribed onsite.
We hope to have one more setting in September 2003 so fill out your order blank today!
Knight Wrestling has a Bright Future
With fourteen grapplers returning this next season, Head Coach Jeff Barton has reason to be optimistic.
A name synonymous with Bremerton wrestling prowess, Heistand (Dustin), will be a team leader with three years of varsity experience under his singlet. The Knight senior wrestled well at regionals last year but failed to make state.
Adding to the depth that the Blue and Gold will need to compete in the tough Narrows League are senior, Tim Noles who wrestled at the regionals the past two seasons and junior, Buddy Bennett who is spending his off-season lifting and attending camps. Bennett was on the mat at the regional tourney 2003.
Knight's New Grid Coach
Mike McKnight, 60, who has helped with the Bremerton/West High football programs for 23 years, was named in June to guide Blue and Gold football fortunes beginning with the 2003 season.
The wily veteran said that there just seemed to be a need to be filled, and I was the guy standing there. "I guess I was in the right place at the wrong time, or the wrong place at the right time, whichever way that goes," quipped McKnight.
The Bremerton eleven will be young but feature some size and depth at linebacker.
YOUR Foundation has Given Back Over $15,000!
Due to your generous donations, the kids of Bremerton and our community have received scholar-ships, the memory park, and benefits in excess of $15,000.
Any additional monies are invested in the prestigious Russell Fund & profiting under the watchful guidance of Fleury Financial.
The Chuck Semancik Memorial Foundation is a 501C3 tax deductible, non-profit organ-ization dedicated to helping the youth of our community help themselves.
All donated monies go toward Bremerton High School scholar-ships and approved community projects.
No member of the Board or volunteer of the foundation is salaried. All checks written from the foundation for awards and donations or approved purchases require the signature of two board members.
Chuck Football is published annually by the Chuck Semancik Memorial Foundation, a non-profit corporation under the provisions of the WA Non-Profit Corporation Act (RCW 24.03) - EIN 91-2020300 - State UBI #602 007 558. The Chuck Semancik Memorial Foundation is a 501C3 tax deductible organization established and nourished by alumni, athletes, coaches, and friends all sharing to create opportunities for our youth.
Send Contributions & Donations to:
Chuck Semancik Memorial Foundation
PO Box 2723
Bremerton WA 98310-0351
